Joe Conti
Rokudan, Shihan, Renshi

Conti Sensei holds rank and teaching certificates in the following martial arts: Okinawan Shorin-ryu Karate, Aikido, Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, Judo, Kempo, Okinawan Kobudo (weapons), Kenjutsu, Iaijutsu, and Iaido (sword arts). He has been training and teaching Martial Arts for over forty five years.

After studying and teaching Nihon Goshin Aikido for over fifteen years under the direction of Master Richard A. Bowe, Conti Sensei began his study of Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu Kodokai under Master Teacher Katsumi Yonezawa from Hokkaido, Japan and Hawayo Kiyama Shihan from Los Osos, California. Sensei was also honored to have hosted Tatsuo Shimbo Shihan during a week-long Daitoryu seminar when Shimbo Shihan accompanied Yonezawa Sensei to the NJ Aikikai and Budokan. Conti Sensei studied in Japan as an uchideshi (live-in student) with Katsumi Yonezawa in 1979, and received a Hiden Mokuroku (credentials), makimono (scroll of curriculum) and a kanban (identifies the dojo and is a license to teach the art). He was the only occidental to have translated, transcribed, studied, trained, and tested the waza (techniques) of the makimono with Master Yonezawa at that time in the 1980s. Sensei studied with Master Yonezawa for over eight years. After eight years of hosting the master in his home every summer in the USA and training with him, Conti Sensei received the ranks of Sandan, Okusandan, Yondan, Godan, and Jun Shihan Daidi, and was appointed as the first Eastern United States Director of Kodokai Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu . Conti Sensei sponsored countless seminars, clinics, and workshops for and with Yonezawa Sensei throughout the eastern United States during the eight-year relationship. As the Eastern United States Director for several years, Conti Sensei attempted to organize and spread the knowledge and skills of  Kodokai Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu, but unfortunately politics guided the growth of the association. Therefore, Conti Sensei decided to resign from the position and the organization. The NJ Aikikai & Budokan is no longer affiliated with either Nihon Goshin Aikido or Kodokai Daito-ryu Aiki-jujutsu.

Conti Sensei studied Okinawan Isshin-ryu Karate with Master Gary Alexander in the 1970s and Shorin-ryu Karate with Master Vince Ward and Master John Hamilton from the 1970s to the present day. Conti Sensei's Okinawan, Japanese, and Chinese weapons knowledge and skills were imparted by Master Vince Ward. Sensei was also fortunate to have studied Kick Boxing, Judo, Kenjutsu, Kempo, and Ninjutsu with the legendary Joe Lewis, John Larlee, Vince Ward, John Hamilton, Fred Lovret, Dennis Decker, and Richard Wiggington, respectively.

Having studied Aikido, Aikijujutsu, Judo, Shorin-ryu Karate, Kempo, Kobudo, Kobujutsu, Iaido, Iaijutsu, and Kenjutsu for the last forty five years and attaining teacher and master certifications, Sensei is now affiliated with the Shorin No Tora Ryu dojo and the Sho-Ha Shorin-ryu Karate Federation. Conti Sensei was also a member of the Japanese Sword Society.

Periodically, throughout the school-year, Sensei teaches a self defense course at William Paterson University for the Go Japan Club and the Asian Culture Club. He has appeared on cable TV providing several special martial arts demonstrations for the Asian Cultural Arts Society, which aired on the "Asian Culture in America" program hosted by Paul Sher.

The European Karate and Martial Arts Federation honored Sensei by asking him to teach at the November 2008 International Martial Arts Seminar in Tours, France. The European organization is represented by 12 countries and has a student population of 22,000 members. Sensei was fortunate to have instructed approximately 300 advanced students at the seminar.

In addition to his martial arts degrees and teaching certificates, Sensei devoted thirty-five years to public education as a teacher, supervisor, vice principal, and a director of technology. He achieved a Bachelor of Arts in Science, a State of New Jersey teaching certificate, principal’s and supervisor’s certificates, and a master’s degree in Educational Administration.

Sensei also plays the guitar and keyboard and sings in a band with his wife. Sensei had the opportunity to work as a stunt man for stunt director Pete Bucossi, and assisted in the choreography of an altercation in the movie “Music and Lyrics”. Another opportunity was in the HBO history-making series “The Sopranos” where Sensei played a bodyguard and was “whacked” in the episode entitled “Remember When." Recently, Sensei had a small part in the Columbia Pictures movie “The Bounty."

Rick Jones
Yondan, Renshi

Jack MacKay
Sandan

Mal Braich
Nidan

Bob Heuner
Shodan

James Wholer
Shodan


David Kinsky
Shodan

Kinsky Sensei has been training at the NJ Aikikai and Budokan since 1993.   He was promoted to assistant instructor in 1999 and to Shodan in 2007.   Over the years, he not only has taught at the dojo but also has instructed the public in self-defense seminars to children and women’s groups.

Professionally speaking, Mr. Kinsky manages a team of Systems Engineers for Cisco Systems.   He has worked in the IT Field since 1991.   He has a Master’s Degree in Telecomm Management and a Bachelor’s Degree in Computer Science.

Kinsky Sensei currently resides in Hunterdon County.   He is an active tri-athlete and soccer coach.